Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The Clinical Research Budget Analyst within the College of Medicine supports the financial and operational success of clinical research initiatives across oncology and non-oncology programs; is responsible for developing, analyzing, and negotiating clinical research budgets and payment terms for contract and grant proposals; contributes to the accurate design and configuration of clinical studies within the Clinical Research Management System (CRMS/CTMS), ensuring alignment with approved protocols, billing compliance, and optimal financial stewardship; serves as an expert resource, delivering training and guidance to investigators, research staff, and institutional partners on clinical research financial management practices.

• Lead and support the development of clinical research budgets, creating initial operating budgets and alternative financial scenarios across industry, federal, non-profit, and investigator-initiated studies
• Review research protocols and supporting documents; gather vendor quotes; prepare detailed internal cost estimates
• Collaborate with investigators, research teams, and financial analysts to identify study-specific operational considerations and feasibility concerns
• Coordinate proposal submissions and contract negotiations with the Office of Research Affairs (ORA)
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sponsor requirements, funding agency guidelines, CMS billing regulations, and compliance standards; advise faculty and staff on appropriate budget practices
• Evaluate and negotiate a wide range of complex agreements, including federal, international, and industry-sponsored contracts
• Negotiate terms of Master Clinical Trial Agreements in partnership with ORA
• Consult with ORA, research accounting, risk management, and legal counsel to address contractual nuances and ensure institutional and regulatory compliance
• Communicate negotiated terms to investigators and study teams, providing clear guidance on obligations and compliance requirements through ongoing post-award support
• Translate study protocols and finalized budgets into structured CRMS study builds, supporting accurate billing, visit tracking, and financial oversight
• Maintain and update CRMS records throughout the lifecycle of each study to reflect protocol amendments, budget modifications, or operational changes
• Partner with patient financial services, research teams, and post-award analysts to troubleshoot and resolve research billing concerns
• Provide mentorship and supervision to junior analysts, offering coaching on budgeting techniques, negotiation strategies, and best practices for clinical research financial management
• Serve as a subject matter expert for colleagues involved in pre-award and post-award processes, supporting process improvement and consistency across the department
• Develop and deliver educational programs, presentations, and workshops on clinical research administration topics to faculty and research staff
• Conduct individualized training sessions with investigators and research personnel across departments to support study-specific needs and enhance research administration competencies

Level:

– Senior Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $76,700.00
• MidPoint – $95,900.00
• Maximum – $115,100.00

• Budget Management
• Collaboration
• Continuous improvement
• Contract negotiation
• Cost management
• Data Analysis
• Data integrity
• Financial Risk Management
• Medical billing
• Mentorship
• Project Management
• Regulatory compliance
• Stakeholder engagement
• Training design